Wednesday, August 30, 2017

After a dismal start, yesterday turned out to be mostly dry and there were even periods of sunshine.

That all changed at about 9:30pm when you could hear thunder in the distance. As the storm approached, the lighting bolts were quite spectacular and filled the sky with light. The rain was intense but thankfully only lasted for a short period of time.

Forecasts for today vary considerably because the atmosphere is quite unstable. For sure it is heavily overcast so who knows, we could have another thunderstorm or we might get lucky and be let off.

The forecast for today and tomorrow. Cloud cover for both days with weak showers this morning and moderate rain this afternoon. Tomorrow will be much the same but with the possibility of intermittent thunderstorms.

Actually, I can hear thunder rolling in the distance already and we have had some rain overnight.

Some more pictures of Pam and I at the Fiesta. However, I don't have any photos from the final procession or the mass in the church where Pam was wearing a mantilla. If anybody has any photos of us, I should be very grateful for copies.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

After the Brexit vote friends told me not to worry, things would be all right - just wait and see.

The pound has tumbled more than 15 per cent against the euro since the UK voted to leave the EU in June last year.

Sterling on Wednesday fell to a fresh eight-year low – an official rate of just over €1.08 against the EU’s single currency. Worse still, travellers obtaining last-minute holiday cash from Southampton Airport’s Moneycorp branch on Thursday were getting just 87 cents for every pound.

Economists at UniCredit wrote in a note to clients on Thursday that the “upward trend” in the euro’s value against the pound “is showing no signs of slowing down”.

Strategists at Morgan Stanley add that the pound’s weakness “is no longer inspiring foreign buyers to come into the market”. They said that they are more optimistic on many other currencies, including the otherwise weak US dollar, and that they think buying the euro against the pound is the most sensible trade at the moment, indicating that they expect the single currency to become even stronger against sterling in the short term.

Last week strategists at the US bank said that the pound would be worth less than the euro on official exchanges by early next year.

When the Euro was last on par with the pound, we thought those were black times. As the pound gained strength, we thought they were behind us. Now it looks like the situation could be even worse. And it isn't just people like us that are suffering. All of the imports to Britain are going to be more expensive so our friends and family will also be worse off.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

When I read that Sunday's stage of the Vuelta a Espana was starting at Orihuela and then passing through Torrieveja, I assumed they meant the city. From the city, the route would have taken the CV95 by passing Bigastro which would be perfect from my point of view.

Having now seen a proper map, it seems that the stage will actually start at Campamor on the coast. Furthermore, it will not pass through Torrevieja because the mayor says he cannot provide enough police officers to patrol the roundabouts in the town. Instead it will run along the N332 towards Guardamar del Segura.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

After waiting so long for this year's fiesta where Pam and I were due to be crowned Third Age King and Queen, it is all over. We have enjoyed every moment, right from the coronation to last night's procession.

There are so many people we want to thank:

First of all our fantastic neighbours, Pepe and Eladia who have helped us prepare and even taxied us down to save us parking and walking.

We would like to thank our family and friends who came over from England to support us. Along with them were our many Spanish friends who were there for us.

Then there were the members of the Fiesta Commission, especially Carlos, Manuel and Eli who helped us each day.

The lady mayor who took the trouble to ask us regularly how we were and whether we were enjoying the Fiesta.

The Brotherhood of San Joaquin and especially the one who directed us around last night.

Trini Alcaina and Fonta Bigastro for taking many photographs.

And last but not least, the people of Bigastro who gave us such support and cheered us on.

Now can I ask a favour. If you have any photos, not just of us but of the Fiesta in general, can you let me know. I'd love to have them to make up an album of memories of this fantastic time in our lives.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Our neighbours, Manuel and Eli organised for an ad hoc band (Da Capo) to come and play for us in our garden this morning. Those who live at Villas Andrea will have heard them as they toured the estate.

Bicycles
return for San Joaquín to Calle Purísima. Enjoy this ancient
tradition and win a sash that our court has prepared for the
occasion. How many of the tapes can you get?

Refresh
yourself by taking a free granizado.

Midday

UNCLE
TRACTOR

As
it has become traditional, the uncle of the tractor, accompanied by a
charanga, will begin to tour the streets of Bigastro refreshing and
encouraging all the neighbours and visitors.

8:00
p.m. THEMED CHILDREN'S PARADE

This
year the theme of the children's parade will be "OLIMPIADAS",
departing from Barrio Nuevo street, accompanied by the Children's
Court of Queens.

00:00
hours

INAUGURATION
OF THE FESTIVAL PARK

Inaugural
parade starting from Calle Aureliano Diaz, where the Festival
Commission, accompanied by the Municipal Authorities, Court of
Queens, Pregonero, Comparsas and the Sociedad Musical de Bigastro,
will proceed to the inauguration of the party venue installed as is
traditional in the Huerto del Cura Park.

PERFORMANCE
OF "IMPOSSIBLE VERSION"

The
showman David Moreno, finalist in TU CARA NO ME SUENA TODAVIA,
presents his new musical project IMPOSSIBLE VERSION. Accompanied by 5
great musicians, Moreno and his band will pay tribute to different
artists of all eras and styles (Fito, Dani Martin, Shakira, Julio
Churches, Camilo Sesto, Eros Ramazzotti, Louis Armstrong, Estopa ...)
imitating the voice of these artists and interpreting their music and
medleys with songs of today and yesterday. You've will have never
seen so many singers on one stage! A lot of humour, good music and a
constant interaction with the public, with a very theatrical staging.

MOBILE
DISCO

At
the end of the performance there will be a disco until the dawn with
Dj Sergio.

SUNDAY,
AUGUST 13, 2017

10:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m.

ALTERNATIVE LEISURE

Video consoles, for
all in the Polyvalent Room of the Municipal Auditorium Francisco
Grau.

Midday

UNCLE TRACTOR

The uncle of the
tractor returns, parading the streets of the municipality,
accompanied by a charanga. Laughter and fun are assured.

8:30 p.m.

GREAT COMPETITION
PRESENTATION PARADE

Have a great time
enjoying this refreshing parade – don't forget to take a bucket of
water to liven up the party.

00:00 hours

POPULAR OPEN AIR
DANCE TO "DÚO ATLANTIC"

In the Plaza de la
Concordia, the Festival Committee has prepared the performance of the
Atlantic Duo that will liven up the night with a wide musical
repertoire, so as not to stop dancing throughout the evening.

01:00 a.m.

THE BEST TRIBUTE TO
MECANO LIVE

Melissae pays
tribute to our passion for the 80's and especially for the music of
MECANO.

Musical show that
will make us relive the memories that are linked to the great
successes of this legendary band from Madrid. More than a score of
songs from the first albums to the last year's, will surely connect
to the audience with their magical energy.

And then,
discomóvil with Dj. Robles.

MONDAY,
AUGUST 14, 2017

10:00 a.m. to Midnight.

2nd ALTERNATIVE
LEISURE DAY

Last day of
consoles with the latest games, in the Polyvalent Room of the
Municipal Auditorium Francisco Grau.

Midday

UNCLE TRACTOR

The uncle of the
tractor says goodbye to our municipality until next year, as always
touring new streets accompanied by charanga.

8:00 p.m.

FLORAL OFFERING TO
SAN JOAQUÍN

The offering will
begin with the traditional parade from Aureliano Diaz Street, where
the court of queens accompanied by the comparsas, authorities,
commission of parties, neighbours and the Sociedad Musical de
Bigastro, will arrive at Plaza de la Constitución where they will
make floral offerings To our Patron Saint Joaquín.

8:30 p.m.

HOLY MASS IN HONOUR
OF SAN JOAQUÍN

11:00 p.m.

CONCERT BY THE
MUSICAL UNION OF BIGASTRO, in the Plaza Constitución.

01:00 a.m.

THE HAPPY'S

The happy effect is
to get together a lot of friends and share many of those legendary
songs, sing them together and feel that everything we have lived for
has been worth it.

La Charanga will
tour the streets of Bigastro, enlivening residents and visitors.

7:30 p.m. ENTRANCE
OF THE BANDS

The charangas, who
accompany the comparsas in their parade, prepare the festive
atmosphere for the multicoloured parade.

8:30 p.m. GREAT
MULTI-COLOR PARADE

The comparsas,
along with the Children's court, the Juvenile court and the Third Age
King and Queen, will take part in the multicoloured parade that as
always will begin in the street Barrio Nuevo.

01:00 a.m. DAWN

A grand pasacalle
welcoming our big day, with the music of Sociedad Musical de
Bigastro, will parade the streets of the municipality filling them
with joy as they announce that the day of our patron Saint Joaquín
has already arrived. At the end there will be a grand firework
display and then a Discomovil with Dj Sergio

02:00 a.m.

CHILDREN'S
FIREWORKS IN THE CAGE

03:00
a.m. to 05:00 p.m. ADULT'S FIREWORKS IN THE CAGE (LA CORDÁ)

Both of these
events will take place in the street Acequia, with the participation
of the Association of Carreteros of Bigastro.

"The Bigastro
Town Council and the Organising Committee of the parties are not
responsible for the improper use of gunpowder outside the established
places and timetables"

05:00 a.m. to 07:00
a.m. FIESTA REMEMBER

At the end of the
Cordá, in the Park Huerto del Cura, FIESTA REMEMBER with Dj CHUMI .

WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST 16th

09:30 a.m. MASS

11:30 a.m. Parades
of the Bigastro Musical Union Society, from Aureliano Diaz Street to
the Church Ntra. Señora de Belén accompanying the courts of 2017
along with members of the council.

12:00 HOLY MASS IN
HONOUR TO SAN JOAQUÍN, which will be sung by the Manuel Moya Choir.

At the end of the
Mass, in the Plaza Constitución, there will be a GRAN MASCLETÁ.

8:00 p.m SOLEMN
PROCESSION OF OUR PATRON, SAN JOAQUÍN, carried on shoulders by the
members of the Brotherhood of San Joaquin. Upon the return of San
Joaquín to the church, a GREAT FIREWORK DISPLAY organised by
pyrotechnics Ferrández of Redován.

01:00 MUSICAL
PERFORMANCE BY THE LA ESPARTERA GROUP The group will animate the
last night of our party, with a mixture of rhythms from a flamenco
background.

And then,
DISCOMOVIL until everyone drops with Dj Rafa.

THURSDAY,
AUGUST 17th

In the afternoon,
LA MURGA will, as always, make a mockery of what has happened in our
municipality and in the country. Political satire at its best.

"HAPPY
FESTIVALS" The Organizing Committee of the San Joaquin 2017
Festivities is not responsible for the use of gunpowder outside the
authorized hours and venues. Likewise, the Commission may make
changes to the schedule of acts it deems appropriate without prior
notice.

Tuesday, August 08, 2017

Last night it was a lot more comfortable than it has been over the last few days and that will continue. Daytime temperatures will also drop to something more normal.

However, there is a price to pay and that is the cloud cover, the possibility of rain and even a thunderstorm. Fortunately, it won't be mucky rain this time so you won't have a big clean up job to do on Friday.